Federal Universal Service Fund surcharge

Basically an additional tax on your phone service.  The Federal Universal Service Fund surcharge is designed to recover some of the costs phone companies incur to keep basic telephone service affordable in rural and high cost areas. This fund also makes it possible for telephone companies to assist low-income customers that qualify, through lifeline assistance programs. Finally, the Universal Service Fund provides support for telecommunications services used by schools and libraries across the nation, as well as rural healthcare providers, creating broader access to services like Internet access and Distance Learning programs. In some areas, state governments may also require a similar surcharge for special programs within their communities. 

InterLATA Calls

Long distance calls made to individuals outside your local calling area or state. 

Interstate Access Surcharge

The Interstate access surcharge covers the cost of connections to the local telephone network, allowing you to make local and long distance calls. This fee covers the cost of telephone wires, poles and other facilities that connect long-distance carriers to local telephone companies. Customers are charged a monthly Interstate access surcharge for each phone line they use. May also appear on your bill as the carrier line charge or network access. 

IntraLATA Calls

Local long distance calls or toll calls in and near your calling area. 

LANDLINE

Traditional wired phone service. 

LAND MOBILE SERVICE

A public or private radio service providing two-way communication, paging and radio signaling on land. 

Local Measured Service (LMS)

Calling plans that quantify the local telephone calls made during each billing period. Depending on the particular calling plan, charges may be billed by the call, by the minute, or in units.                       

Local Number Portability

see Number Portability Surcharge 

Local Services

Includes dial tone, calling features and packages, usage-based services such as *69, local(intraLATA) toll.